Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Pained screams filling the air of a dimly lit hall slowly faded away until they finally vanished altogether. The Mu Family Old Ancestor tossed aside a withered corpse and wiped the dark red drops of blood from the corners of his lips. His violently trembling inner aura gradually subsided as he loudly gasped for breath. This old freak's complexion was incomparably ugly.

The effects of the blood sacrifice were becoming increasingly worse. He didn't have much time left…if he couldn't do what he needed to…then at most he would have another hundred years before he would have to welcome the embrace of death.

Thinking of this, an ominous light flashed in the eyes of the Mu Family Old Ancestor. "Yao Bin!" His voice was cruel and overflowing with hate. If it weren't for that damnable bastard, how could he have ended up in such a state!

He took a deep breath and walked deep into the hall, opening up a hidden chamber and walking inside. This place was even darker, without a single ray of light. It was unknown what the Mu Family Old Ancestor did, but an eerie green flame suddenly appeared in midair.

After a long time, a blurry face appeared in this eerie green flame. A gentle voice, yet one filled with an endless yin chill, passed out, "Mu Yunli, you still dare to call for me!?"

The Mu Family Old Ancestor had no expression. "Empress, there is no need to lose your temper. It wasn't my wish that things happened how they did. But since what has passed has already passed, we can only think of ways to remedy the situation."

"I already fulfilled my end of the agreement. The accident appeared on your end…Mu Yunli, you sorely disappoint me! That junior has already become the Holy Son. Nothing can be changed about that. There is nothing else to say between the two of us!" The face in the flame began to disperse.

The Mu Family Old Ancestor roared out, "Empress! Besides our Mu Family, there is no one that would be willing to agree to your conditions. If Yao Bin truly ascends the throne of the Holy Monarch, then you will suffer the same fate as my Mu Family!" He took a deep breath, a sharp light surging in his eyes. "I know that you cultivated the remnants of an ancient art long ago. The Mu Family has the other half. I can give it to you."

The dark green flames suddenly expanded. "Mu Yunli, are you speaking the truth?"

The Mu Family Old Ancestor said, "Of course I am speaking the truth. However, you simply need to agree to a single condition of mine."

The face in the flame fell silent for a moment. Then, a soft voice said, "If you truly take out the other half of the remnant then I guarantee you that Yao Bin will enter, but he won't ever leave."

The Mu Family Old Ancestor lifted his hand. Demonic light surged in his palm and a jade slip appeared. The jade slip was missing a section, looking as if it had been cracked apart by someone's fingers.

"To express my sincerity, I will give this remnant to you first. I hope you abide by your promise. And, the agreement that the Mu Family made with you before still stands."

He lifted a hand and tossed out the jade slip. The green flame whirled around the jade slip and it immediately vanished.

The chamber fell into silence once more. In the darkness, the Mu Family Old Ancestor's voice echoed throughout, "Yao Bin, I still haven't admitted defeat yet. You won't necessarily be the last one laughing!"

…

Within the dark palace, there were suddenly cheerful cries. A gentle and tender laugh filled the air. "Lin Yuncheng, Lin Yuncheng, it was indeed you who stole away half my law formula in the past. If it weren't for you, how could I have ended up in this situation!?" By the time she finished speaking, her jaws were clenched with infinite hate. And her gentle tone had become frighteningly cold.

But after a brief silence, the voice rose up yet again, light and carefree once more. "But you probably never expected that this law formula would eventually return to my hands. Hahaha, what a pleasant surprise! Once my supernatural art reaches large success, the entire Demonic Path will submit itself beneath my feet!"

"Your Mu Family, I will kill them all off completely. Who told them to have your blood flowing through their veins…that scent, it is simply revolting!"

"Haha….Hahahaha…" A gentle laughter constantly reverberated through the dark palace.

…

The Demon Envoy furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the sphere in his hand. "Are you sure there isn't a problem?"

Qing Ruhong was without expression. "If Lord Demon Envoy doesn't believe me, then just give it back."

The Demon Envoy revealed an awkward expression. "It's not that. When it comes to the path of spells and arrays, even looking at the entire Land of Divinity and Demons, I fear no one can surpass Elder Qing. It's just that because this involves such significant matters I have no choice but to be more cautious. I had no intention of offending Elder Qing. If I did, then please forgive me."

Qing Ruhong lightly said, "I indeed don't like Yao Bin, but he is still the Holy Palace's Holy Son. I know how to separate my private life from my work." She nodded before she stood up and left.

Concerning the existence of the Endless Sea Array's spirit, Qing Ruhong had given an explanation to all factions within the Demonic Path. Although there was no absolute right or wrong when the sea was buried, in the end, the array's spirit had still died to Qin Yu.

Qing Ruhong was a person who could separate love from hate and she was also someone who never disdained to lie. With her guarantee, while the Demon Envoy felt a little guilty, he still relaxed a bit.

If Yao Bin obtained the Holy Son Seal a day earlier, he would be safer a day faster. Bai Xinyuan's appearance had caused great restlessness to appear in the Demon Envoy's heart. Who knew who else was hidden within the ranks of the Demonic Path?

The Demon Envoy rose up and quickly left. Soon, he arrived in front of Qin Yu. He solemnly gave him the sphere and said, "After you enter the Holy Palace, you can use your blood to activate this thing. It can temporarily shield you from the array formations within the Holy Palace. But even so, you must be cautious. Those women inside the Holy Palace have long since gone crazy. If anything happens, do not hold back."

…

When Qin Yu entered the main body of the Holy Palace for a second time, the place he first arrived at was still the vast Heavenwait Square.

He glanced around. Because the Mu Family had delivered the stone tablet inheritance right in front of him, this competition that should have been an extended struggle between tigers and dragons had come to a sudden halting end. Strictly speaking, he hadn't yet truly wandered through the Holy Palace. Looking around, he saw that the palace was quiet like a nighttime forest, solemn and respectful. He had no idea whether or not it was because he had become the Saint Son, but he didn't feel uneasy about this place at all. Rather, he even felt a little close with his surroundings.

But feeling close was just feeling close. Qin Yu was well aware that he wasn't the master of the Holy Palace yet and he needed to proceed in a careful manner. After all, he had seen far too many instances of people sinking their boats before they even got going.

He turned his hand and took out the sphere. He made a cut on his fingertip and a drop of blood fell down onto the sphere, quickly absorbed. Ripples appeared on the surface, then, it slowly began to bloom, shifting and transforming into a dark gray flower.

The flower flew out from his hand and started to rapidly spin in the air. Flower petals howled out, shooting into the corners of the Holy Palace. Then, like an invisible net, they temporarily blocked the revolution of the Holy Palace's great array formation.

Without pause, his thought moved and the Little Saint Robe appeared around him. He closed his eyes, cautiously sensing his surroundings. After several breaths of time, his eyes opened and his figure howled forward.

It was this direction!

…

In a dimly lit hall, a black-robed figure with a hunched back sat atop a throne. She suddenly looked up outside the hall and chuckled. "What a smart and cautious little boy. He actually has a method to seal the Holy Palace's array formation. But, do you think that you will be safe with this alone?"

On the right side of the throne, a tall and willowy figure furrowed her eyebrows together. An anxious look appeared in her eyes. As she was secretly worried, the figure atop the throne suddenly spoke up, interrupting her thoughts. "Girl, do you know why I called you here today?"

You Qi hurriedly restrained her thoughts. She respectfully bowed, "This servant does not know. I ask Empress Grace to show me."

The hunched black-robed figure had a warm and gentle voice. "Young girl, you should understand just how many people have envied you and coveted you from the moment you unintentionally entered the Holy Palace. If it weren't for my protection, you would have long since died."

You Qi gratefully said, "I will never forget the Empress' benevolence in my life. If there is a chance in the future, I will do everything I can to repay you."

"Hoho, little girl, you speak so well. But, there is no need for you to wait for the future. I have a matter that I need you to help me with today." The hunched figure lifted a hand and pointed a finger. You Qi's body froze. Shock and anger rose in her heart, but there was only terror in her voice. "Empress, why? What did I do wrong?"

The hunched figure slowly stood up. With a flick of her sleeves, the black robes that dr.a.p.ed around You Qi were instantly reduced to dust. When the figure saw You Qi's pale face that was filled with horror and panic, she revealed an intoxicated look. You really are a beautiful girl. I know you are a smart girl. Although you feel fear, you keep it hidden well in your heart. But, how I do things is that I always seek out the safest option. I will not give you a chance to mess things up. Little girl, you said that I saved your life and that you are willing to do everything you can to repay me. If so, then don't be unwilling about this."

You Qi bit her lips, not saying a single word. Despair surged in her heart. She never expected that in the blink of an eye, she would suddenly welcome the moment of her death. As she thought of Qin Yu who was not too far away and was completely unaware of the danger he was in, You Qi felt even more sorrow and regret. If she knew that things would end like this, even if she had to risk her life she would have tried to give him some warning. But, it was already too late.

The hunched figure reached out a withered arm that was mottled with blue and purple. The skin and flesh was like dried jerky clinging to her bones. Her gentle voice carried with it a hint of fascination, "Little girl, give your everything to me."

Pata -

A fingertip was pressed between You Qi's eyebrows.